Thousands of pounds of damage caused in school break in

Paint was strewn everywhere and thousands of pounds of damage caused when a Crawley Down school was broken into while it was closed.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a break in to Crawley Down Village School over the weekend.

Thirty students have been displaced this morning following the destruction. Picture: East Grinstead Police

A police spokesman said: “Persons have broken into the newly constructed arts porta cabin between 8pm on Friday, October 7 and 7am on Monday, October 10 and trashed the classroom causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in the process.

“Thirty students have been displaced this morning following the destruction.

“Paint and other art materials have been thrown over the entire classroom.

“The amount of damage caused would have certainly left paint on the suspects clothing and trainers.

Police say the damage would have left paint on the suspects clothing and trainers. Picture East Grinstead Police.

“Police are appealing for local support in a bid to determine who is responsible for the act.

“They say it is possible that that suspects attend or have previously attended the School and could be from the Crawley Down area.”

Oliver Burcombe, head teacher at Crawley Down Village School, said: “I’m appalled by the vandalism that occurred at the school over the weekend.

“Due to the extent of the damage it will be a few weeks before the children can return to their classroom. “The vandalised rooms were only built in the summer and as a school with increasing numbers, there is a significant inconvenience to the staff and the pupils.

“We are helping the police as much as possible with this incident and I’m overwhelmed by the support of the parents who have offered to help in any way they can. They are incredibly upset that such a serious incident has taken place in the village.”

Members of the public with any information regarding this are urged to contact PC Cathy Hagan of Sussex Police on 101 quoting CAD reference 0168 10/10/2016.

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